Urinary stone assessment in a single-phase may replace the unenhanced and multiphase computed tomography protocol in painless visible haematuria.

Objective: Painless visible haematuria (VH) necessitates a computed tomography (CT) usually consisting of one unenhanced and two to three contrast enhanced acquisitions to detect urinary tract stones and malignancy. Recently, we demonstrated that a single nephrographic phase (NP) CT sufficed in detecting malignancy in patients with painless VH. Now, we aim to evaluate the diagnostic performance of single NP CT in stone detection and size measurements in the same cohort.

Computed tomography for visible haematuria - a single nephrographic phase is sufficient for detecting renal cell carcinoma.

Objectives: No previous studies have compared two computed tomography (CT) protocols in patients presenting with visible haematuria, and most patients undergo a multiphase CT in order to detect upper tract malignancies. We aimed to prospectively compare the diagnostic performance of single- and four-phase CT for detecting renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in patients with visible haematuria.

Materials & Methods: 'A Prospective Trial for Examining Hematuria using Computed Tomography' (PROTEHCT) was a single-centre prospective paired diagnostic study in patients referred for CT due to painless visible haematuria between September 2019 and June 2021.

Is a Single Nephrographic Phase Computed Tomography Sufficient for Detecting Urothelial Carcinoma in Patients with Visible Haematuria? A Prospective Paired Noninferiority Comparison.

Background: There is uncertainty about the utility of multiphase computed tomography (CT) compared with single-phase CT in the routine examination of patients with visible haematuria (VH).

Objective: To compare the accuracies of single nephrographic phase (NP) CT and four-phase CT in detecting urothelial carcinoma (UC).

Design Setting And Participants: This was a single-centre, prospective, paired, noninferiority study of patients with painless VH referred for CT before cystoscopy between September 2019 and June 2021.

Antibiotic prophylaxis versus no antibiotic prophylaxis in transperineal prostate biopsies (NORAPP): a randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial.

Background: The benefit of antibiotic prophylaxis is uncertain when performing transperineal prostate biopsies. Judicious use of antibiotics is required as antimicrobial resistance increases worldwide. We aimed to assess whether antibiotic prophylaxis can be omitted when performing transperineal prostate biopsies under local anaesthesia as an outpatient procedure.

Examining the upper urinary tract in patients with hematuria-time to revise the CT urography protocol?

Background: Three-phase CT urography (CTU) is the gold standard for evaluating the upper urinary tract in patients with hematuria. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of CTU for detecting upper urothelial cell carcinomas (UCC) in patients with hematuria and negative cystoscopy. Secondly, we aimed to determine the tumor visibility on each CTU phase.

The acute effects of different levels of intermittent negative pressure on peripheral circulation in patients with peripheral artery disease.

Intermittent negative pressure (INP) applied to the lower leg induces acute increase in arterial and skin blood flow. The aim of this study was to identify the optimal level of INP to increase blood flow in patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD). We investigated the acute effects of different levels of INP in 16 subjects (7 women and 9 men, mean (SD) age 71(8) years) diagnosed with PAD.

Single-motor-unit discharge characteristics in lumbar multifidus muscle of acute low back pain patients.

Acute low back pain (ALBP) causes rapid deterioration of paraspinal muscle function. The underlying neurophysiology is poorly understood. We therefore carried out this observational study in patients with ALBP to characterize motor unit (MU) activity in deep lumbar multifidus (LM) muscle and compare with our previous findings from pain-free subjects.

MRI in the Follow-up of Testicular Cancer: Less is More.

Background/aim: This study aimed to report the location of abdominal relapse in patients with testicular cancer.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study including patients who underwent abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after treatment of testicular germ cell cancer. MRI reports were classified as negative or positive, and positive results were cross-checked with follow-up imaging and biopsy results.

Infrainguinal inflow assessment and endovenous stent placement in iliofemoral post-thrombotic obstructions.

Purpose: To assess the technical success, patency, and clinical outcome, following assessment of inflow and infrainguinal endovenous stent placement in patients with iliofemoral post-thrombotic obstruction with infrainguinal involvement.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 39 patients with iliofemoral post-thrombotic venous obstruction accepted for infrainguinal stent placement in the period November 2009-December 2016. The clinical status was categorized according to the Clinical Etiological Anatomical Pathophysiological (CEAP) classification and symptom severity was assessed using Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS).

Precision implantation with positional confirmation of fine-wire EMG electrodes in the deep posterior neck muscles.

Precise electrode placement is essential for obtaining useful electromyographic (EMG) recordings. Our aim was to develop a protocol for computerized-tomography (CT) guided fine-wire (FW) electrode placement that permits confirmation of the final electrode position in the deep posterior cervical multifidus (CM). FW-EMG electrodes were custom-made from three 50-µm diameter Teflon-insulated platinum/iridium wires.

Intermittent mild negative pressure applied to the lower limb in patients with spinal cord injury and chronic lower limb ulcers: a crossover pilot study.

Study Design: Randomized, assessor-blinded crossover pilot study.

Objectives: To explore the use of an intermittent negative pressure (INP) device for home use in addition to standard wound care (SWC) for patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and chronic leg and foot ulcers before conducting a superiority trial.

Setting: Patient homes and outpatient clinic.

Radiation exposure in patients treated with endovascular aneurysm repair: what is the risk of cancer, and can we justify treating younger patients?

Background Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is becoming the mainstay treatment of abdominal aortic aneurisms (AAA). The postoperative follow-up regime includes a lifelong series of CT angiograms (CTAs) at different intervals in addition to EVAR, which will confer significant cumulative radiation exposure over time. Purpose To examine the impact of age and follow-up regime over time on cumulative radiation exposure and attributable cancer risk after EVAR.

Radiologist-initiated double reading of abdominal CT: retrospective analysis of the clinical importance of changes to radiology reports.

Background: Misinterpretation of radiological examinations is an important contributing factor to diagnostic errors. Consultant radiologists in Norwegian hospitals frequently request second reads by colleagues in real time. Our objective was to estimate the frequency of clinically important changes to radiology reports produced by these prospectively obtained double readings.

Post-thrombotic syndrome after catheter-directed thrombolysis for deep vein thrombosis (CaVenT): 5-year follow-up results of an open-label, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Post-thrombotic syndrome is a common complication after acute proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and is associated with reduced quality of life and a substantial cost burden. In the 2-year results of the CaVenT study, additional catheter-directed thrombolysis reduced the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome by 14% compared with conventional therapy, but did not affect quality of life. In this study we report results at the 5-year follow-up, aiming to assess whether findings for post-thrombotic syndrome and quality of life have persisted.

Double reading of current chest CT examinations: Clinical importance of changes to radiology reports.

Objectives: Misinterpretation of radiological examinations is an important contributing factor to diagnostic errors. Double reading reduces interpretation errors and increases sensitivity. Consultant radiologists in Norwegian hospitals submit 39% of computed tomography (CT) reports for quality assurance by double reading.

Effects of 12 Weeks of Supervised Exercise After Endovascular Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background And Purpose: This study aimed to assess the effects of supervised exercise training (SET) after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) compared with PTA alone on physical function, limb hemodynamics and health-related quality of life in patients with intermittent claudication.

Methods: Fifty patients who all underwent PTA for intermittent claudication were included in the study. Both groups received usual post-operative care.

Double reading rates and quality assurance practices in Norwegian hospital radiology departments: two parallel national surveys.

Background: Double reading as a quality assurance (QA) tool is employed extensively in Norwegian hospital radiology departments. The practice is resource consuming and regularly debated.

Purpose: To investigate the rates of double reading in Norwegian hospital radiology departments, to identify department characteristics associated with double reading rates, and to investigate associations between double reading and other quality improvement.

Twelve-months follow-up of supervised exercise after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for intermittent claudication: a randomised clinical trial.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to explore the effects during 12 months follow-up of 12 weeks of supervised exercise therapy (SET) after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) compared to PTA alone on physical function, limb hemodynamics and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with intermittent claudication. Fifty patients were randomised to an intervention or a control group. Both groups received usual post-operative care and follow-up measurements at three, six and 12 months after PTA.

The smoothness of unconstrained head movements is velocity-dependent.

Non-smooth, irregular movements reported in persons with neck pain have been suggested to signify motor impairment. However, irregular movements are additionally observed during slow movements in healthy participants. We therefore examined whether the smoothness of head movements is related to the movement speed in 26 healthy participants.

Review of postoperative CT and ultrasound for endovascular aneurysm repair using Talent stent graft: can we simplify the surveillance protocol and reduce the number of CT scans?

Background: Simplifying a postoperative surveillance protocol for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) requires quality control comparing computerized tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) results of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) diameter measurements and endoleaks.

Purpose: To test if US is comparable to CT, then assess a simplified follow-up with our conventional surveillance to assess patient safety.

Material And Methods: During 2001-2006, data on 56 patients treated with Talent stent graft were prospectively registered.

Long-term outcome after additional catheter-directed thrombolysis versus standard treatment for acute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (the CaVenT study): a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Conventional anticoagulant treatment for acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) effectively prevents thrombus extension and recurrence, but does not dissolve the clot, and many patients develop post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). We aimed to examine whether additional treatment with catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) using alteplase reduced development of PTS.

Methods: Participants in this open-label, randomised controlled trial were recruited from 20 hospitals in the Norwegian southeastern health region.

Thrombin generation and platelet activation related to subintimal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure the in vivo platelet activation and thrombin generation in arterial blood after passing a subintimal conduit.

Methods: Subintimal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (SPTA) is a technique where a subintimal channel is created, allowing recanalization of long peripheral arterial occlusion. From 10 patients with intermittent claudication, undergoing successful SPTA for femoropopliteal occlusive disease, we collected antecubital venous blood samples immediately before treatment, preprocedural arterial blood samples taken at the entry level proximal to the vessel occlusion, and subsequently at the reentry level after successful recanalization.